W is for Wasted (by Sue Grafton)
I’ve surprised myself by reading two Sue Grafton books this month. While I’m genuinely enjoying the Alphabet series, I’ll admit I’m looking forward to its conclusion. I’ve always preferred standalone novels, but there are so many great authors who write long-running series that I can’t seem to resist them. I try not to get locked into too many serials at once—otherwise my reading starts to feel like something I have to keep track of rather than something I enjoy.
Up next was W is for Wasted, in which Kinsey Millhone finds herself on an unplanned vacation with no new clients for her private investigation business. When a homeless man is found dead on the beach, police discover Kinsey’s business card in his possession and ask for her help identifying him. At the same time, the murder of a fellow private investigator pulls Kinsey into a second investigation. The complex story thoughtfully explores themes of wasted lives, missed opportunities, family estrangement, and the unexpected connections that can arise from tragedy.
This installment had an extremely slow start for me. The beginning felt weighed down by banal details that struggled to hold my attention. Some of those details later proved useful, but others felt unnecessary. Once the plot picked up momentum, though, it was like a switch flipped—the story quickly became engaging and hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the dual mysteries and appreciated how Grafton delved into Kinsey’s paternal family.
While listening to the audiobook, it struck me that when I first started the series years ago, I assumed the books would progress in real time. Instead, they all remain firmly set in the 1980s. I’m not complaining—the ’80s were a great decade to grow up in—but it still surprised me.
I acquired the audiobook of W is for Wasted through iBooks. Judy Kaye continues to do a wonderful job as the voice of Kinsey.
Only two books left in the series!
You’re welcome to read my other reviews for books by Sue Grafton, which are linked below. Also linked is the author event she participated with John Grisham.
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